Crail Naval Airbase Development Plans Stir Controversy

Fife Council approved plans on 10 November to convert the derelict cinema and gymnasium at the former Crail Royal Navy air base into an events venue and “wet weather hall.” The development, proposed by West Lothian-based Ground Developments, will allow Crail’s Sunday markets to move indoors during bad weather and includes offices, a cafe, and a children’s play area inside the hall, along with 70 car parking spaces and 48 outdoor bicycle spaces. 

Access to the Crail Airbase is limited to the Denburn Narrows woodland, a single-lane road described by members of the community as a “dangerous bottleneck” disrupting traffic. Concerns about additional traffic through this street impacting the town have been repeatedly raised by Crail residents, according to Danyel VanReenen of The National. 

Ground Developments has responded that, with their new development design, the building will be used for existing events which already take place at Crail Airbase and that there will therefore be no additional traffic. Additionally, Fife Council planning officer Scott Simpson has pointed out that the site has already been used for both a music festival and a University of St Andrews Ball. As reported by Claire Warrender, Simpson claims it would “be unreasonable to refuse the application on the grounds of traffic.”

Previous opposition to the development of this site has also stemmed from the nature of the development. SNP councillor David MacDiarmid voiced concerns over “turning Fife into a holiday park” and ignoring the need for more houses in Crail. MacDiarmid added: “It’s not tourism we need, we need houses for people to live in.”

In response to the development approval, Crail Community Council Chairman Gerry O’Neill said: “One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” He added that “Ground Developments have been turned down by the Scottish Government, but they keep coming back with the same impractical approach. It is dangerous and it doesn’t deliver any real benefit to Crail.”

Ground Developments claimed that, in addition to providing a necessary community events space, their development plan would help preserve the historical and cultural significance of this building. 

According to Historic Environment Scotland, the Crail Airbase is the best-preserved example of a Second World War Naval Airfield in Scotland. More specifically, Historic Environment Scotland has claimed that it is “remarkable for its survival, completeness and the rarity of some of the individual buildings.” Built in 1918 but utilised most thoroughly during World War II, the buildings at Crail Airfield are listed under the Group A category of national importance, and the four extant runways have been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. 

After 1960, the site was sold, and the majority of the buildings were adapted for pig farming. The current structure intended to be developed is the former cinema/gym hall. The hall still includes an art deco-style ticket booth, a sprung timber floor, timber beams, and climbing ropes.

Despite the historical significance of this structure, a condition survey has shown that “more than 90% of it is in very bad or poor condition,” according to Claire Warrender. 

While formally approved by Fife Council, no date has been made publicly available for when construction may start.

Photo provided by Fife Portal